Bass drum with rhythm beaters and pedal



Nov. 10, 1953 E. H. w. CLAYTON 2,658,421

BASS DRUM WITH RHYTHM BEATERS AND PEDAL Filed June 8, 1951 E vereff h. W Clayton IN VEN TOR.

Patented Nov. 10, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE BASS DRUM WITH RHYTHM BEATERS AND PEDAL 2 Claims.

The present invention relates to certain new and useful improvements on and in connection with a bass drum and has more particular reference to a drum for beating out so-called jungle tones, said drum having associated therewith a single control pedal and complemental multipleacting rhythm means.

More specifically, the invention has to do with a unique assemblage which is characterized by a bass drum, alternately actuatable beaters for coaction with the vibratory head of the drum, a single up-and-down foot pedal, said heaters and auxiliary, but companion, rhythm heaters all controlled by the stated pedal. In carrying out the invention, a, combination instrumentality has been evolved and produced wherein all of the rhythm beating components are mechanically interconnected for closely allied results, whereby to provide a novel rhythm producing construction which may be handily and properly employed by a drummer, a guitarist, a pianist, a double bass player, an accordionist, while simultaneously playing another instrument, for example, a guitar, with his hands in usual fashion.

Another object of the invention has to do with a combination bass drum and accompanying complemental traps which may be utilized to advantage by a regular drummer in dance bands, orchestras, small group combinations, or which may be played alone to mark time for dancers of all types.

One sub-combination phase of the over-all construction has to do with a base, a drum supported thereon, upper and lower beaters for alternately producing the usual downbeat and then the afterbeat. These beaters are on a rocker shaft controlled by a single pivoted foot pedal on the base, spring means being provided to return the foot pedal to its normal up position.

Then, too, novelty is predicated on the foregoing in conjunction with a resonance block, an impact heater or hammer for coaction with the block and paired maracas means wherein the latter and said block beater are operatively connected with the stated rocker shaft. It follows that the over-all construction coordinates jungle drum playing, resonance block tapping, and shaking maracas sound which is susceptible of being sounded in individual and collective ways according to the effects which the player desires to produce.

Other objects and advantages will become more readily apparent from the following description and the accompanying sheet of illustrative drawmgs.

In the accompanying sheet of drawings, wherein like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the views:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a bass drum and traps combined constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary section taken on the vertical line 2-2 of Figure 1, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 3 is likewise a fragmentary View in section and also in elevation, taken centrally through the base, foot pedal and adjacent parts.

The entire construction and all of the details are plainly shown in Figure 1, wherein the numeral 4 designates an appropriate base adapted to rest on the floor or elsewhere. At one end this is provided with a suitable riser ii which supports the bass drum 8. The opposite end of the base has a narrowed extension l8 which serves to accommodate the single foot pedal l2. The latter is pivotally mounted as at Hi on the terminal end portion 16 of the extension. It may be stated in this connection that the drum 3 is of a special construction, that is, is provided with especially tuned impact heads, not herein to be detailed. The idea of the drum is to provide the aforementioned jungle-tone sounds. Suitably braced uprights Iii-A8 are supported on the base adjacent the drum head and in spaced parallelism. These are provided with bearings to accommodate journals 20 on the ends of a horizontally disposed oscillatory rocker shaft 22, A vertical coil spring 24 is connected at its upper end to the intermediate left-hand edge of the rocker shaft, as best shown in Figure 3. A hook and eye connection 2% is made between the lower end of the spring and the base. The tension of the spring is to maintain the rocker shaft at the level or plane shown in Figure 3 in which position the pedal is up. A link 28 affords a suitable operating connection between the free end of the pedal and intermediate edge of the rocker shaft. Flat springs are suitable connected intermediate their ends to the lefthand edge of the rocker shaft and the lower portions provide carrying arms 3il-5iil for a pair of hammer-like beaters 32-32. These beaters are of appropriate material and design. They are, obviously, for producing the so-called down heat which is effected when the foot pedal is depressed. The upwardly extending flexible arms ss 3s carry corresponding beaters or hammers 3G3'S and these produce the so-called after beat. So far, then, the description has covered a single pedal-controlled bass drum with so-called double-acting heaters. A resonance tapping block 38 is fixedly mounted in any suitable manner atop the rim or wall of the drum and this is made up of upper and lower companion sections 48 and 42. The block provides a mount for horizontal spring arms or fingers 44-44 which, in turn, each carries a maraca 46-46. These maracas are vibrated and actuated much in the same manner: aswould be accomplished were they held and operated in ones hands.

The fingers 44 are secured in place by headed fastenings 48-48. There is a T-shaped actuator for the maracas 46. This comprises a vertical stem 50 connected by a coil spring 52 to the intermediate forward edge portion of the rocker shaft 22. secured at 54 to the intermediate portion of. the crosshead 56 fastened at 58-58 to the handles of the maracas. flexible spring or equivalent arm 60 which in turn has a ball-like head 6-2 on the free end constituting. a beater or hammer for contacting and sounding the block. 38 according to the discretion of the player. If desired, the coil. spring 52 may be separably fastened, as at B4,. to the fastening means, aneye screw 66 for the aforementioned pedal link 28 (see Figure 3').

When. pedal I2 is; pressed downward, the two lower boaters 32-32 strike the: drum head, simultaneously pulling the menace heaters 46-46,

causing the latter to shake or vibrate-this by way of the coil spring 52.

When the pedal is released or on the up stroke, the two top heaters 36-36 strike the drum on the afterbeat. A variation of rhythm beats can be obtained by manipulation of the pedal. Also, different rhythms can be obtained on the maracas and drum.

When the pedal is pressed down to a low point, the ball beater i2 isv caused to raise and strikethe wooden resonance block, producing an alternate tone. The frequency of this tone can be controlled by skillful manipulation of the pedal. There are three distinct tones; namely, jungle drum beat, maraca beat, and resonance block beat. By manipulation of the pedal, one can play as much jungle drum, maraca or block as desired.

It will be understood that the invention is essentially and primarily a novel double-acting single-pedal controlled jungle-tone bass drum wherein the rocker shaft which actuates the on and after beat operates other boaters 46 and 62 and, conjointly, the resonance block 38. The parts are structurally interrelated and cooperate to produce a. single result; namely, a single pedal controlled group of heaters accompanying the principal or main beat afforded by the bass drum.

The upper end is bolted or otherwise- This same crosshead carries a.

Although this invention relates essentially to a fullsized bass drum with companion accessories, it is to be understood that it also comprehends a miniature bass drum, say one which might be classified as a toy.

In view of the foregoing description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, it is believed that a clear understanding of the device will be quite apparent to those skilled in this art. A more detailed description is accordingly deemed unnecessary.

Minor changes in shape, size, materials, and arrangement of parts may be resorted to in actual practice without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.

Having described the invention, claimed as new is:

1. A bass drum construction of the class described comprising a base, a bass drum mounted on said base, a foot pedal pivotally mounted on said base, a horizontally disposed rocker shaft mounted for oscillation on said base, a coil spring attached at one: end to an intermediate portion of said rocker shaftand anchored at its opposite end. on said base, an. operating connection between the free end of saidpedal and the intermediate portion of said rocker shaft, a pair of depending spring arms attached to said rocker shaft and provided with, heaters, adapted to strike the head of said drum, a pair of upper spring arms attached to andv rising above saidrocker shaft and provided with boatersv adapted to alternately strike the head of said drum, a resonance block fixedly mounted atop said drum, a flexibly resilient arm having a beater adapted to stri-ke said resonance block, and an operating connection between said arm and rocker shaft, said ope-rating connection embodying a Tshaped member having spring connection with said rocker shaft, anda inaraca mounted on said T- shaped member;

2. The structure recited in claim 1', including flexibly resilient means operatively interconnecting said resonance block and said maraca.

EVERETT H. W- CLAYTON.

what is References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 393,551 Foerster Nov. 27, 1888 994,289 Unger, Jr. June 6, 1911 1,775,283 Juster Sept. 9, 1930 1,782,247 Verrecchia Nov. 18, 1930 1,808,085 Troppe June 2, 1931 2,313,313 Bascom Mar. 9', 1943 2,484,302 Laverents Oct. 11, 1949 2,584,554 Clayton Feb. 5, 1952 

